Chris Christie

Mel Evans/Associated Press

News about Chris Christie, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 30, 2015

Interviews with Republican officials and voters in New Hampshire reveal serious doubts about New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, despite presidential candidate's outsize efforts to win hearts in state; residents have cited deep concerns about Christie's past foibles, his chances on national stage, and his forceful persona, which he has made the centerpiece of his campaign. MORE

Jul. 28, 2015

Transportation Sec Anthony Foxx urges New York Gov Andrew M Cuomo and New Jersey Gov Chris Christie to meet with him to discuss their states' roles in proposal, known as Gateway Project, to build new Hudson River rail tunnels. MORE

Jul. 25, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie will defend decision to block building of new rail tunnel under Hudson River in radio interview, citing cost as justification and saying New Jersey should not bear full cost of a regional project; Christie will promise that should he be elected president, he will push for solution in which both New York and New Jersey will shoulder equal cost burden. MORE

Jul. 25, 2015

Editorial scores New Jersey Gov Chris Christie for shortsighted decision to cancel work on new commuter train under Hudson River in 2010; condemns Christie's rerouting of $3 billion in train tunnel funding to fix New Jersey's roads and bridges as blatantly political move designed to avoid raising taxes; holds Christie's maneuvers have caused congestion throughout entire region and impacted thousands of commuters. MORE

Jul. 23, 2015

Commutes of tens of thousands of New Jersey Transit riders are disrupted for third day in row due to problems with electrical wiring in rail tunnels under Hudson River; disruptions underscore deficiencies in regional rail infrastructure and come on heels of major fare increase; many commuters place blame on failings on New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, who scrapped plans for new rail tunnel in 2010. MORE

Jul. 9, 2015

Editorial urges New Jersey Gov Chris Christie to sign voter registration bill passed by state Legislature that would establish automatic voter enrollment at state Motor Vehicle Commission; notes law would make state a national leader and is unquestionable boon for democracy. MORE

Jul. 1, 2015

New Jersey Gov Christ Christie announces intention to seek 2016 Republican presidential nomination, casting himself as colorful teller of difficult truths; invokes his disdain for Washington and politicians like his rivals Sens Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, but reserves his most pointed criticism for Congress, Pres Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. MORE

Jul. 1, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's presidential bid comes at time when polls indicate his voter approval has fallen significantly in state, even among Republicans. MORE

Jul. 1, 2015

Editorial refutes New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's claims to being brash truth-teller, contending that he is in fact more guilty of lies than average politician; holds many of Christie's assertions, including those regarding his fiscal successes and conservative credentials, are not backed up by fact; holds Christie's orchestrated moments of self-praise are smoke screen, and he would, in fact, make a bad president. MORE

Jun. 15, 2015

Editorial calls on New Jersey Gov Chris Christie to raise state's irresponsibly low gas tax in order to shore up crumbling roads, rails and bridges; argues that Christie's reluctance to do so is in part fueled by his fear of raising taxes as he pursues Republican presidential nomination; argues that if Christie does not have the will to raise gas tax, New Jersey legislators should propose increase and override his veto. MORE

Jun. 10, 2015

New Jersey Supreme Court, in reversal of lower court ruling, says Gov Chris Christie can skip promised payments to public employee pensions in order to avoid fiscal crisis for state; decision is victory for Christie as he prepares to run for president. MORE

Jun. 9, 2015

Administration of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urges New Jersey Dept of Environmental Protection to reject $225 pollution settlement negotiated between New Jersey Gov Chris Christie and Exxon Mobile Corp; administration calls settlement, reduced from original request of $8.9 billion, wholly inadequate. MORE

Jun. 8, 2015

Former Port Authority official David Wildstein gives sworn statement in civil case saying New Jersey Gov Chris Christie broke the law as he heavily controlled state politics; statement by Wildstein, who has admitted to setting up access-lane closings on George Washington Bridge, reinforces image of Christie's heavy hand as he often used Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the bridge, for his own political gain. MORE

May. 21, 2015

Federal prosecutors are seeking to seal evidence in case against two former aides to New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, aiming to shield public officials and others from potentially embarrassing disclosures related to the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal; defense lawyers for Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni are seeking to prove that their clients were far from the only ones in Christie's inner circle who were aware of closures and cover up. MORE

May. 20, 2015

United States District Judge Susan Wigenton moves back trial date for Bridget Anne Kelly, former chief of staff for New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, and Bill Baroni, former deputy executive director of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; both have pleaded not guilty in George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal. MORE

May. 5, 2015

Bill Baroni, New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's former top staff appointee at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Bridget Anne Kelly, former deputy chief of staff for Christie, plead not guilty to charges that they conspired to disrupt traffic leading to George Washington Bridge. MORE

May. 4, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's grip on state Republican Party may be slipping as fellow Republicans consider inching away from him in advance of next election cycle; Christie's support, once a sought-after political commodity, has become questionable asset amid scandal and political setbacks. MORE

May. 3, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's camp is seeing his chances of winning 2016 Republican presidential nomination diminish following announcement of federal indictments in George Washington Bridge scandal. MORE

May. 2, 2015

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey release indictment that details intricate lengths to which Bill Baroni, Bridget Anne Kelly and David Wildstein, allies of New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, went to plan, carry out and then cover up George Washington Bridge lane closures that paralyzed town of Fort Lee for days; Baroni and Kelly will face charges, and Wildstein has pleaded guilty; Christie says indictments prove he had no hand in incident. MORE

May. 2, 2015

United States Atty Paul J Fishman announces indictments against Bill Baroni, former Port Authority executive, and Bridget Anne Kelly, former senior aide to New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, in connection with 2013 lane closings at George Washington Bridge; both Baroni and Kelly are disputing account of former Port Authority official David Wildstein, who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy in connection with incident characterized as political retribution. MORE

May. 2, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie says indictments surrounding 2013 George Washington Bridge lane closings are proof positive that he had no involvement and no knowledge of incident that has been cast as political vengeance on his behalf; episode, nonetheless, dims prospects of Christie mounting a successful 2016 presidential bid. MORE

May. 2, 2015

Editorial contends responsibility for 2013 George Washington Bridge scandal falls squarely on New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, despite his attempts to blame underlings during his bid for presidency; says scandal reveals Christie's inability to choose employees, manage them and keep them from abusing power. MORE

Apr. 29, 2015

Jim Dwyer About New York column contends that United Airlines nonstop service from Newark to Columbia, SC, which appears to have been bribe of sorts to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey chairman David Samson, is only one instance of corruption that has been uncovered in federal investigation into New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's Port Authority appointees. MORE

Apr. 16, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie travels to New Hampshire, where voters are known for their forgiveness and independent minds, as part of effort to remind people of his 2016 presidential ambitions. MORE

Apr. 9, 2015

Series of interviews with members of the Borough Council in Fort Lee, NJ, indicate federal investigators are nearing end of inquiry into September 2013 lane closings at George Washington Bridge, with indictments expected to follow; subpoenas so far show that inquiry has expanded past lane closures to include possible conflicts of interest and bribery, but significant questions remain, including case's implications for New Jersey Gov Chris Christie. MORE

Apr. 9, 2015

Editorial decries New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's push to settle state's prolonged legal dispute with Exxon Mobil Corp for roughly 3 cents on dollar; observes Exxon remains liable for contaminating vast area of marshlands and waterways; calls on public to exert pressure on Christie to forgo settlement that would yield mere $225 million for environmental damages that state had originally estimated at $8.9 billion. MORE

Apr. 9, 2015

Vanessa Friedman observes that political candidate's weight affects public perception of them, and their chances of winning election, both in America and Europe; notes that several male candidates, including New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, Prime Min David Cameron, French Pres Francois Hollande and British Chancellor George Osborne, share details of their dieting and exercise regimens in attempt to court voters. MORE

Mar. 21, 2015

Editorial supports New Jersey Supreme Court's actions in returning responsibility for complying with fair housing standards established by 1960s Mount Laurel case decision to local courts, relieving state government of authority; asserts Gov Chris Christie has long endeavored to undermine fair housing and that his administration has delayed writing of fair housing rules; holds court's decision is just, given state's pressing need for affordable housing. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

New Jersey's $225 settlement with Exxon Mobil over pollution of state's wetlands was reportedly years in the making, with Gov Chris Christie making $325 million settlement offer at private meeting in 2012; seeds of settlement were planted earlier in 2008 with Gov Jon Corzine's offer of $550 million; Gov Chris Christie's final brokered settlement has been widely criticized for falling far short of original $8.9 billion goal. MORE

Mar. 19, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie signs measure that will allow sale of zero-emission cars, like those produced by Tesla, in the state. MORE

Mar. 17, 2015

New Jersey Senate approves resolution urging judge to reject proposed $225 million settlement in pollution lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corp case, saying amount is inadequate; also approves bill that would prevent Gov Chris Christie from directing as much money from environmental settlements into state's general fund. MORE

Mar. 17, 2015

New Jersey Senate fails to override Gov Chris Christie's veto of legislation aimed at limiting patronage and political interference at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in wake of scandal over George Washington Bridge lane closings. MORE

Mar. 11, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, at town-hall-style meeting in Somerville, NJ, defends decision to settle 2004 pollution lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corp for $225 million, fraction of what was originally sought; lawmakers and environmental advocates vow to block settlement, saying Christie is eager for money to help prop up state budget. MORE

Mar. 6, 2015

Administration of New Jersey Gov Chris Christie releases details related to $225 million settlement with Exxon Mobile Corporation in $8.9 billion lawsuit over pollution of New Jersey wetlands; deal, bringing fraction of cost needed for cleanup, has been widely criticized, but state officials have praised deal. MORE

Mar. 6, 2015

Editorial scores New Jersey Gov Chris Christie for negotiating $250 million settlement with Exxon Mobil Corporation in 10-year, $8.9 billion lawsuit brought by state against corporation for its contamination of 1,500 acres of wetland; asserts that settlement amounts to colossal giveaway that does little to clean up environment and is engineered to promote Christie's interests; urges state legislators to block deal. MORE

Mar. 5, 2015

Bradley M Campbell, former commissioner of New Jersey's Dept of Environmental Protection, accuses Gov Chris Christie's administration of pushing for a drastically reduced settlement with Exxon Mobil over decades of environmental contamination in state; says Christie's chief counsel, Christopher S Porrino, aggressively inserted himself in case, leading to $250 million settlement of an $8.9 billion claim. MORE

Mar. 5, 2015

Op-Ed article by attorney Bradley M Campbell decries decision by Gov Chris Christie to settle multibillion-dollar environmental lawsuit against Exxon Mobil for mere cents on the dollar; questions whether Christie was motivated in part by large sums Exxon contributed to Republican Governors Assn while he was group's chairman. MORE

Mar. 3, 2015

New Jersey State lawmakers discover obscure provision in law that could allow Gov Chris Christie to use most if not all of proposed $250 million settlement against Exxon Mobil Corp, which was sued over its spilled pipelines and explosions that contaminated wetlands and waters, toward balancing state budget; lawmakers attempt to revise law so that money goes toward restoring environmental damage, but Christie vetoes effort. MORE

Mar. 1, 2015

Editorial warns Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker, New Jersey Gov Chris Christie and Louisiana Gov Bobby Jindal, as well as other Republican governors who may seek 2016 Republican presidential nomination, that they cannot run from their gubernatorial records; notes ways in which records of three men could open them up for criticism during Republican primary and during possible general election. MORE

Feb. 28, 2015

New Jersey State Sen Thomas H Kean Jr is proposing compromise measure to bolster oversight and transparency at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, hoping to overcome standoff after New York Gov Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov Chris Christie each vetoed reform bill that both state legislatures had unanimously passed. MORE

Feb. 27, 2015

Gov Scott Walker of Wisconsin has found his political star rising as Conservative Political Action Conference commences outside Washington, in stark contrast to decline of longtime rival Gov Chris Christie of New Jersey; Walker's bid for the 2016 Republican nomination has gained significant ground as his poll numbers have risen. MORE

Feb. 26, 2015

Gail Collins Op-Ed column examines failure of New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's signature pension reform project; argues that without reform to tout, Christie's chances for the Republican presidential nomination have all but evaporated; criticizes Christie's hypocrisy in relation to New Jersey's public workers. MORE

Feb. 26, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's proposed freeze to state's public pension plans is latest in series of events that have challenged long held belief that public pensions are untouchable; move seems in part inspired by California Judge Christopher Klein's opinion criticizing Calpers, California's public pension system, for ruling out pension cuts in city of Stockton's bankruptcy proceedings. MORE

Feb. 25, 2015

New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, in his budget speech, pushes 'bipartisan solution' for public employee pension deficits that resembles plan he signed in 2011 to 'fix' problem; pension system continues to haunt him, with Democrats, who control Legislature, accusing him of bad faith. MORE

Feb. 24, 2015

The Upshot; decline in New Jersey Gov Chris Christie's presidential campaign fortunes, which has been widely reported, opens up path for Jeb Bush to quickly consolidate support from Republican Party's moderate wing in his quest for 2016 nomination. MORE

Feb. 24, 2015

New Jersey Superior Court Judge Mary C Jacobson rules Gov Chris Christie violated state law when he declined to make full payment into New Jersey's pension system for public employees; orders Christie to work with Legislature to satisfy state's obligation of $1.57 billion, creating a massive fiscal crisis. MORE

Feb. 20, 2015

Republican strategists reveal growing party frustration with New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, who they describe as having an inflated impression of his prominence in the field for the 2016 presidential nomination; donors and key supporters are either flirting with or committing to rival candidates, saying Christie has come to reside in a bubble of close-knit advisers, ignoring how his tone and behavior have hurt his national image. MORE

Feb. 8, 2015

Nicholas Kristof Op-Ed column criticizes American politicians like Sen Rand Paul and New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, in wake of measles outbreak, for irresponsibly suggesting that vaccinations may be dangerous; notes that such health illiteracy is bipartisan; underscores effectiveness of vaccination, and suggests that it is every healthy citizen's responsibility to be vaccinated. MORE

A letter from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx urging Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York to meet with him to discuss a plan to build new Hudson River rail tunnels.